Dean’s Message

Spring semester has been a busy and exciting time for the Graduate School team. In collaboration with the Graduate Student Council (GSC), we initiated the Graduate Student Appreciation Week to recognize the numerous contributions that our graduate students make to K-State’s teaching, research, and outreach mission. Many of the colleges planned activities for their graduate students during the week. One of the highlights of the week was the GSC Graduate Student Recognition Event where many of the accomplishments of our outstanding graduate students were recognized.

Also new this year was the Graduate School’s Alumni Reunion that we hosted on campus April 16-17th . The Graduate School team members who assisted had a wonderful time interacting with the alumni who had graduated 50 and 25 years ago. We look forward to hosting another Alumni Reunion April 8-9, 2016.

May 15th was a memorable day for the more than 400 graduates and our honorary doctorate, Former Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker when they were awarded their degrees. Their major professors, faculty, and administrators are proud of the graduates’ accomplishments and wish them much success in their future.

Through a partnership with the Writing Center, the English Department, the Library and the Graduate School, the first Dissertation Bootcamp was held the week of May 18-22nd with support from the Provost’s Academic Excellence funds. Fifteen doctoral students were selected to participate in the Bootcamp that is designed to enhance their writing skills and to facilitate the successful completion of their dissertation. We hope to continue to offer additional Dissertation Bootcamp and other professional development activities designed to enhance graduate students’ communication and other transferable skills. Your support for these professional development opportunities is just one way you can make a difference in the quality of K-State’s graduate student experiences and contribute to helping us achieve our vision of being a top 50 public research institution.

We wish each of you an enjoyable summer. If your travels bring you to Manhattan, we invite you to visit us in Fairchild Hall.